2 Chronicles 32:20 Meaning: Why Hezekiah and Isaiah Prayed Together
Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.
And Hezekiah the king prayeth, and Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, concerning this, and they cry to the heavens,
And because of this, king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz prayed and cried to heaven.
Meaning in one sentence
Discover why the Chronicler highlights both Hezekiah and Isaiah praying together against Assyria, and what this joint intercession teaches about partnership
Context
Sennacherib’s army has surrounded Jerusalem. His officers stand outside the walls, shouting insults not just at the city but at the God who lives there. They compare Yahweh to the helpless idols of other nations. The threat is real, and the blasphemy cuts deep.
Hezekiah and Isaiah had worked together for years, leading reforms and trusting God. Now, faced with this crisis, they do what they have done before: they pray. The Chronicler condenses a longer story from 2 Kings to focus on one decisive moment. King and prophet, political and spiritual leader, cry out together. Their united prayer becomes the turning point. In the next verse, God sends an angel who destroys the Assyrian army. Prayer changes everything.
Key Words
Two verbs carry the weight of this verse. The word for “prayed” comes from the Hebrew palal, which means to intervene or intercede. This is not a casual request. It is stepping into the gap on behalf of others. The king and prophet are not praying for themselves alone. They intercede for a whole nation.
The second verb, “cried,” is za’aq, a loud, desperate call for help. It is the kind of cry you make when you have exhausted your own strength. Their words went up to shamayim, heaven, the place where God dwells. They did not try to reason with the enemy or make a plan first. They simply cried out.
The phrase “because of this” (al zot) points back to the insults against God. Their prayer was a response to the attack on God’s name. It was not first about their safety; it was about His honor. When we pray with that focus, our cry aligns with God’s own heart.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions note the significance of both leaders praying. The reformers in the Geneva Bible said they “prayed against this blasphemy.” Matthew Henry sees a united cry that brought deliverance. The Cambridge Bible observes that the Chronicler assumes readers already know the full prayers recorded in 2 Kings, yet he deliberately includes Isaiah alongside Hezekiah.
Some emphasize the partnership of civil and spiritual leadership, both seeking God together. Others focus on the power of intercessory prayer from those in authority. All agree that their joint cry reached heaven, and that unity in prayer matters deeply.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think that because Isaiah’s prayer is not quoted, it was less important than Hezekiah’s. In fact, the Chronicler makes a point to include the prophet alongside the king. Both prayed together. The omission of Isaiah’s words in the parallel account does not diminish his role. The verse shows that partnership in prayer, leaders from different spheres uniting, is itself a powerful testimony.
Living This Out
This week, think of a situation where God’s name is mocked or where you feel helpless. Instead of carrying it alone, find one other person, a friend, a pastor, a prayer group, and ask them to pray with you about it. You don’t need eloquent words. Just cry out to heaven together, as Hezekiah and Isaiah did. The partnership itself declares that God is worth trusting.
Main takeaway: When leaders and believers pray together in the face of mockery, God hears and acts for His name’s sake.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When bad men said mean things about God, King Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed together. They cried out to God. You can pray with your family when you are scared.
For ages 9, 12
Hezekiah and Isaiah were leaders of God’s people. When the enemy mocked God, they didn’t try to fix everything themselves. They prayed together, crying out to heaven. This shows that even strong leaders need to ask God for help, and it’s good to pray with others when we face big problems.
Questions People Ask
Why does this verse mention Isaiah when the 2 Kings account only records Hezekiah’s prayer?
The Chronicler deliberately includes Isaiah to highlight the partnership between king and prophet. He assumes readers know the longer account in 2 Kings but wants to emphasize that both leaders prayed together. This joint intercession shows that God’s people unite in times of crisis.
What does it mean to “cry to heaven”?
The Hebrew word is za’aq, meaning a loud, desperate call for help. It implies urgency and helplessness. They directed their cry to heaven because that is where God dwells. It is the kind of prayer that comes from deep need, not a casual request.
What was the “this” that caused them to pray?
The “this” refers to the blasphemous speeches and letters of Sennacherib and his officials. In the preceding verses, they insulted Yahweh, comparing Him to powerless idols. Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed in response to the attack on God’s honor.
How does this verse apply to our prayer life today?
It encourages us to pray together when facing opposition, especially when God’s name is dishonored. We don’t have to face threats alone. Partnering with others in prayer, whether in a group or with one trusted friend, can bring clarity and hope. The verse also reminds us to cry out honestly and urgently.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study